VOLUNTEERING

Case Study

During the Lockdown I had been noticing the requests in the Bratton Parish News for volunteer drivers. I decided to put my name forward, being fit and well despite having had my 80th birthday last Easter, as a means of helping in the Community.  Driving, which I have done a great deal of over the years, seemed a good way of doing it.

I got in touch and was given a warm welcome by Angeline who came round to our home to explain the job and of course to find out if I might be suitable. Fortunately I passed this test and was signed up and shepherded through the formalities (which are not that onerous) by Angeline and Ian Hulley the Treasurer. All I really needed was a car, a driving licence, insurance and MOT and to be able to make myself available 2 or 3 times a month to drive ‘clients’ to local hospitals etc. following sensible COVID-19 precautions.

A month or so into this new role I have been called on 3 times and have been to both Warminster and Salisbury Hospitals. The details for pick-up and destination are confirmed on a standard email form so there is no scope for error. My next appointment will be to go to the RUH. I have found my passengers to have been both interesting and appreciative of the service offered by the Link Scheme. The arrangements for free parking at the hospitals have worked well and with a bit of ‘training’ from Ian the necessary paperwork and online claim/donation form only took a few minutes.

So if anyone is considering it I’d say give it a go, you can be sure of a warm welcome from both the organising team and your passengers.

Stephen

New Four Villages LINK Volunteer